Argentina Beat Switzerland 3–1 After Extra Time to Reach World Cup Semifinals
Argentina secured their place in the semifinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after defeating Switzerland 3–1 in extra time in their quarter-final clash at Kansas City Stadium on Sunday, July 12, 2026.
Lionel Scaloni’s side took an early lead through Alexis Mac Allister in the first half before Switzerland equalized thanks to Dan Ndoye, forcing the match into extra time. Goals from Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez eventually sealed victory for the defending champions and booked a semifinal showdown with England.
Argentina dominated possession from the opening whistle and broke the deadlock in the 10th minute from a set piece. Lionel Messi delivered a corner that Mac Allister headed past goalkeeper Gregor Kobel to give Argentina a 1–0 lead.
Switzerland responded through Breel Embolo, who went down inside the penalty area in the 31st minute, but referee Joao Pinheiro waved away the appeals. Embolo was later booked in the 44th minute for a reckless challenge, and Argentina carried their one-goal advantage into halftime.
Switzerland emerged with greater attacking intent after the break. Emiliano Martinez produced an excellent save in the 65th minute to deny Dan Ndoye’s close-range header.
However, just two minutes later, Ndoye found the equalizer. Meeting Ricardo Rodriguez’s pass inside the penalty area, he fired a low shot into the bottom-right corner to make it 1–1 in the 67th minute.
Switzerland’s task became even more difficult when Embolo was sent off. After reviewing the incident with VAR, the referee upgraded what had initially been a yellow card into a second booking in the 72nd minute, reducing Switzerland to 10 men.
Despite their numerical advantage, Argentina failed to find a winner before the end of regulation. Their best opportunity came in stoppage time, when Lisandro Martinez’s volley was brilliantly saved by Kobel, sending the match into extra time.
Argentina suffered an injury setback early in the additional period. Enzo Fernandez was forced off in the 91st minute, while Leandro Paredes also had to leave the field with an injury in the 110th minute.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 112th minute. Jose Lopez exchanged a short pass with Julian Alvarez, who unleashed a powerful shot into the bottom-right corner to restore Argentina’s lead at 2–1.
As Switzerland pushed forward in search of another equalizer, Argentina put the game beyond doubt in second-half stoppage time of extra time. Following a scramble on the edge of the penalty area, Lautaro Martinez reacted quickest and drilled a low shot into the bottom-right corner in the 120+2nd minute to seal a 3–1 victory.
Argentina will now face England in the semifinals after the Three Lions also advanced following an extra-time victory over Norway.
Source : https://en.tempo.co/read/2113207/2026-world-cup-argentina-survive-swiss-scare-set-up-england-clash
